December 28, 2013 (El Cajon)-- The El Cajon Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on December 28, 2013, at 500 Broadway between the hours of 7:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.  

The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes.  Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized DUI checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are conducted routinely.

July 30, 2013 (El Cajon) – A fugitive who rammed a police car in El Cajon is under arrest, along with his companion.  The arrests followed a pursuit that resulted in a police officer opening fire and a K-9 dog biting the fleeing suspect.

At 2 p.m. on July 30, El Cajon Police offers spotted the wanted fugitive, Ali Alkafaji in the 1300 block of North Johnson. Officers in marked patrol units attempted to stop the vehicle, assisted by a California Highway Patrol officer. According to police, the suspect intentionally rammed a police sergeant’s vehicle and then accelerated toward the CHP officer, who was out of his car on foot.

According to Lieutenant Frank La Haye, “The suspect continued in the CHP officer’s direction, attempting to run him over. The CHP officer, fearing for his life, fired several rounds at the suspect’s vehicle.”

Update 11:55 p.m. -- The driver has come forward to contact police. For details, see: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/12514

February 19, 2013 (El Cajon)--The El Cajon Police Traffic division is now investigating a hit and run collision involving a pedestrian tonight. A male pedestrian was struck and killed while crossing mid-block along Avocado Avenue near Carter Street just after 6:00 p.m. this evening. Avocado Avenue was closed between Chase Avenue and Washington Avenue for the investigation.

The Traffic Division is requesting witness information. If you have any information regarding this fatal collision, please call our 9-1-1 Dispatch, at (619) 579-3311.

January 12, 2012 (El Cajon ) – El Cajon Police responded to a 911 call reporting shots fired at noon today at 1010 Leslie in El Cajon.  Police located three victims, all with non-life threatening gunshot injuries. Possible suspects are described as three black men and a Hispanic man, all in the 20s, who may have arrived in a newer black four-door vehicle.

“A number of witnesses at the scene were uncooperative and many reported they did not see anything,” Lt. Mike Moulton said. The suspects’ identities are unknown.

By Miriam Raftery

November 9, 2012 (El Cajon)—Shaima Alawadi died a violent death in her El Cajon home, suffering multiple skull fractures.  A note found next to her body  told her to “go home” to her native Iraq, sparking fears in the community that the young Muslim mother of five may have been the victim of a hate crime.

But today, El Cajon Police Chief Jim Redman announced that the victim’s husband, Kassim Alhimidi, has been arrested and charged with her murder.

September 4, 2012 (El Cajon )--The Medical Examiner's office has identified Maria, Josephine Newman, 51 of La Mesa as the victim who died Sepember 1 after trying to climb out of a pickup truck in El Cajon.  According to witnesses, she was hanging on the passenger side of the vehicle while it drove north on Orlando at 12:07 p.m., when she fell and was struck by the pickup.

Police seek help to find the driver, who fled the scene. The vehicle is described as a 1969-72 Chevy pickup, light blue with a white stripe and a faded white camper shell.  It may have a construction-type sign on the driver’s door. The license plate and identity of the driver are unknown.

September 1, 2012 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police officers responded to 911 calls at noon today reporting that a man armed with a crowbar was chasing another man in the 500 block of East Main Street. When the first officer arrived and exited his vehicle, the suspect, armed with the metal bar, charged at the officer.

July 8, 2012 (El Cajon)—A crisis negotiation with a woman brandishing a shotgun ended with an officer firing three rounds, striking the suspect.  The woman, Jamie Fitzgerald, is hospitalized for treatment of her injuries.

March 21, 2012 (El Cajon) – A 17-year-old found her mother, Shaima Alawadi, unconscious in the dining room of her home at 565 Skyview at 11:15 morning. “Alawadi was transported to a local trauma center, where she is not expected to survive her injuries,” said Lt. Mark Coit with the El Cajon Police, who have assigned homicide investigators to the case.

December 14, 2011 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police are seeking a young man with spiked blond hair and a goatee who reportedly stabbed an 18-year-old at 4:42 this afternoon in a suspected gang-related crime.

The suspect wore a black jacket, white T-shirt, blue jeans and black and white Converse shoes. He was described as white, age 17-20, six feet tall with weight approximately 170 pounds.

Firefighter who saved kitten will adopt it, if owner not found

Story by Miriam Raftery

Photos by El Cajon Police Captain Jim Redman

November 18, 2011 (El Cajon) -- The FBI and El Cajon Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance to identify the unknown male responsible for robbing the Wells Fargo Bank, located at 1235 Avocado Avenue, El Cajon, California, on Thursday, November 17, 2011.

September 19, 2011 (El Cajon)—El Cajon Police seek the driver of a Nissa Maxima who lost control of his vehicle at 11:38 p.m. last night, crashing into two businesses on Main Street. The driver, whose identity is unknown, fled the scene and left a seriously injured passenger in the wreckage.

Millionaire offers help to Collier's widow who lost child, mother, and home

August 27, 2011 (El Cajon) – The San Diego Medical Examiner has confirmed the identities of three people found dead in a murder/suicide that also left an El Cajon police officer critically wounded.